Select Local Merchants

Break in your gym shoes at Exhale Fitness in Temple.
When you want to feel exhausted the next day, try a great cross fit workout.
Building a support network is ideal for weight loss or achieving great fitness. Let the personal trainers give you guidance and support when you sign up for a session with them today.
If you're looking for an exciting, fast-paced workout, try your hand at kickboxing.
Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Whether you want to bulk up or slim down, Curves in Temple is the place to do it.
For a workout that tests your perseverance and endurance, you'll pick cross fit every time.
Personal trainers are also available for one-on-one fitness coaching and assessments.
Indulge in a total body workout with one of these kickboxing classes and leave feeling and looking your best.
Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles.

You're on your way to a better workout when you join Temple's Summit Fitness and Recreation.
Check out the restaurant at this gym for a delicious meal.
Take the kids along too — this gym is a great spot for families with activities that even little ones will love.
Kickboxing offers a full-body workout as well as a useful self-defense skill.
Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Jump on the treadmill or work on your weights — Temple's Gym X offers a full body workout.
Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a full meal, the restaurant at this gym is sure to dish out something delicious.
Kickboxing offers a full-body workout as well as a useful self-defense skill.
Parking is plentiful, so guests can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Tweak, tone, shape up, or slim down! Gym X in Temple is just the place you need to get the results you want.
Jab, hook, kick! These kickboxing classes will teach you the basic fundamentals and give you a great cardio workout.
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Jump on the treadmill or work on your weights — Cameron's Curves offers a full body workout.
Keep your heart rate up and your blood pumping with a cardio kickboxing class.
Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Groupon Guide

No matter what your age, getting fit can seem like a herculean task. And when you’re nearing the hill—or already over it—the challenges seem to stack up. Can you really lift the same amount of weight as a college-aged kid? If you don't yet feel fit enough to run, is walking good enough? Is there any point to just now starting a fitness regimen?The answers: yes, yes, and definitely. Exercise for women over 50 is a vital part of maintaining and possibly improving health. Hard though it may be, pretty much everyone is capable of working out. Take Mary Murphy, a 52-year-old dental assistant from Maryland who didn’t develop an regular exercise routine until later in life. “I’ve always enjoyed exercising but wasn’t as religious about doing it,” she said. “It was after I had [my third child] that I got pretty serious. I put him in the bouncy seat, and I started with doing the treadmill. First I was able to do 1 mile and I was so excited, then I was able to run 2, and then I did a 5K.” Over the course of a decade, Murphy gradually ramped up her fitness routine to where now she’s doing an intense workout four days week. And it’s paid off for her, just like it can benefit every other woman. Below, learn why fitness should be a vital component of middle-aged life and why forming a routine isn’t the impossible task you might think it is.Before You Get Started1. What to watch out forMurphy’s no fitness authority—she just read a lot and sought out experts to direct her to the best exercises for her body.“Because of my past injuries, I was told that running is not the best thing for me,” she said. “It’s very jarring on your body, all that pounding. That being said, I was also told that if you’re literally going to run or do nothing, then you should run. But it’s probably better for you to walk or ride a bike or swim.”Doctors, physical therapists, and personal trainers can advise you on working out without exacerbating existing medical conditions. For example, if you have joint problems, symptoms of osteoporosis, or any risk factors for heart disease, a physician should guide you toward exercises of lower impact or intensity.2. What to look forward toA consistent fitness program can lower your risk of suffering heart disease, diabetes, strokes, and osteoporosis. Some women also report that stress relief from exercise helps them manage menopause symptoms such as sleep problems and mood changes.It can help you strengthen bones and maintain a healthy weight, too. Working out is especially good for controlling the abdominal fat that can accumulate around menopause. Murphy uses her fitness regimen in part to maintain her slim figure—”I just really liked to eat,” she noted—and most recently added more weight training to help strengthen her bones.Once You Get MovingAny physical activity is good for you. But many health organizations recommend a three-pronged approach to exercise for women over 50:
1. AerobicsCardio exercise is Murphy’s bread and butter. “Would you be more excited to run a 5K or lift some weights? I feel like hitting a goal is very rewarding and makes you feel good about yourself and makes you keep going,” she said. “It’s probably harder to be like, ‘Oh, I’m going to lift 10 pounds or 15.’ How do you get the sense that you’ve reached [the goal] for satisfaction or reward?”She usually attends two intense 45-minute spinning classes a week. That’s more than what the Department of Health and Human Services expects for healthy adults: at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week. But you can more easily ramp up your aerobic exercise to get to the baseline and beyond by finding an activity you enjoy.Then, measure your level of activity with the “talk test”: moderate intensity should allow you to talk but not sing, whereas vigorous intensity should allow you to speak a few words but not carry on a conversation.2. Strength TrainingStrong muscles equal stronger bones and more calories burned. Murphy added BodyPump classes to her repertoire, hoping to see noticeable results faster.“It’s 10 songs,” she said. “Each song focuses on a large muscle group. It’s quads, chest, biceps, triceps; there’s one just for your legs and abdominals and back.”That activity lines up with HHS recommendations, which champions muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week. For many women, a workout choreographed to music might be a good way to ease into the world of strength training. Or you can start at home, using handheld weights and body-weight exercises such as lunges, squats, and wall sits. Others might just want to venture into a gym and ask for assistance with equipment, form, repetition, and sets.3. StretchingTraditional stretching can help you cool down after exercise. But yoga and Pilates workouts offer additional benefits. They can improve flexibility and range of motion, build core strength (which can help relieve lower-back pain), and boost stability and balance (which can prevent falls in the future).Above all, find what you like and stick to it.
For Murphy, it’s attending weekly classes—with some workout buddies—that give her a sense of accomplishment. For you, maybe it’s walking the dog for a mile every day and practicing yoga. Do some research, take some classes, and find out what works best for you.Check out some related reads:Your Skin Is Mature, So Your Skin-Care Regimen Should Be, TooAging and hormone changes can mean wrinkles and, yes, adult acne. Lessen the effects of time with these skin-care tips for women over 50.Five Things I Learned from Pilates
For instance: did you know that there are bones in your butt?

We all have assumptions about what the fittest cities in the country might be. Fitness, we think, is correlated with image-conscious locales where the climate is conducive to both outdoor activities and clothing that’s a bit more revealing than a parka.
But how many of us have the data to back up our opinions? Well, Groupon, for one. We tabulated our 2014 sales figures to find out where fitness—a category determined by a collection of activities as diverse as aerobics, mountain biking, and capoeira—was a high priority. We then ranked cities by how many fitness deals their subscribers purchased.If your suspicions were anything like ours, you’ll be happy to know that Southern California was heavily represented at the top of the list. But fitness isn’t solely the realm of the Golden Coast. In honor of National Women’s Health Week, we’ve also listed active cities in other regions and categories. That way, you can find your kindred yoga-loving spirits or get inspired by exercisers in scrappy towns like Boise, Idaho, or Lubbock, Texas.
America’s Fittest Cities in 2014WESTLos Angeles – Angelenos bought 199% more fitness Groupons than the average customer—just about three times as many.Orange CountySan DiegoBoiseSanta BarbaraSOUTHWESTAlbuquerque – Looking good for the pool is smart idea here, where subscribers bought 148% more Groupons (or almost 2.5 times more) than average.PhoenixAustinDallasLubbockMIDWESTAnn Arbor – Perhaps college students are behind the fact that subscribers bought 92% more Groupons than average?MadisonGrand RapidsDetroitMinneapolisSOUTHWest Palm Beach – In this sunny locale, subscribers bought 98% more Groupons than average.Fort LauderdaleCharleston, SCJacksonvilleDaytona BeachMIDATLANTICLong Island – Subscribers, who bought 113% more Groupons (or over two times more) than average, might be preparing to summer in the Hamptons.North JerseyBaltimoreWestchester CountyWashington, DCNEW ENGLANDFairfield County – Fitness-conscious Connecticuters bought 57% more Groupons than average.BostonHartfordWorcester, MAProvidenceLos Angeles, in addition to being top of the West, has also been crowned the fittest city in the entire country. But outsiders shouldn’t presume that’s due to the habits of actors, models, and wellness gurus—regular people are far more responsible for the area’s fitness habits.
“People tend to be very health conscious, and we live in a city where you can be outside all year long,” said Jessica Rosen, owner of the One Down Dog yoga studio. “They’re not just concerned with how they look. We can really maximize our lifestyle here.”Rosen also has some advice about how other cities can be as fitness-loving as LA. One, get involved with exercise that you consider fun as well as beneficial. Two, take a cue from the city’s enthusiasm.“I’m originally from Michigan. One of the biggest changes for me was the energy that people out here have,” Rosen said. “When I’m physically active, I’m more motivated in all aspects of my life. That energy could be helpful anywhere: get up, get out, get active.”
Our data revealed some other interesting facts, too. Many of the cities that were the least interested in fitness deals in 2014 really turned things around in the first four months of 2015. Columbia, Missouri, for example, bought 61% more Groupons than average in that time period, while Sioux Falls, South Dakota, bought 37% more.Why? Well, it might have something to due with the fact that New Year’s resolutions are a boon to the fitness industry at the year's beginning. Or maybe kids in these college towns are trying to get rid of the freshman 15 acquired in their first semester.America’s Top Cities for Yoga in 2014
BoiseSanta BarbaraAlbuquerqueIf you thought this category would be topped by a town with a crunchier reputation, like San Francisco, you might be surprised to learn that Boise subscribers bought 19% more Groupons than average. (Boise also comes in at No. 5 on the national fitness list.)
But it makes total sense to Donna Jackovich, owner of Essential Hot Yoga. Boise is “a mecca for people who like outdoor activities. We have room here to be more active,” she said. “It’s a community of people looking for the best things in life. Being at peace with yourself through yoga goes in hand in hand with the quality of life here.”
If you’re not sure what to expect of a class, check out our tips for yoga etiquette.America’s Top Cities for Gyms in 2014Ventura CountySanta CruzSalem, ORDeals for gym visits and memberships are well-loved among the subscribers in SoCal’s Ventura County. They buy over eight times more deals than average.
Hopefully the gym rats in this market are well aware of proper gym behaviors, like wiping down machines after use and not using your phone during a group fitness class. (It’s probably not 100% safe to text on an elliptical, either.)
America’s Top Cities for Personal Trainers in 2014TopekaJacksonvilleDallasInstead of just figuring it out of their own at the gym, Topeka subscribers are likely to get some guidance from a personal trainer. That city bought over seven times more deals than the average. Certified trainers can determine a fitness routine that’s specially suited for newbies, people returning from an injury, and even experienced exercisers.For example, they might recommend that their clients make use of kettlebells, which may work better than free weights for some workouts.America’s Top Cities for CrossFit in 2014SacramentoMiamiFort LauderdaleCrossFit has exploded in popularity across the country, and Sacramento residents are big fans of the trend, buying over four times more deals than the average customer. The system, which emphasizes high-intensity interval training to improve your everyday fitness, is also well-represented in Miami. “Less clothes equals more fitness!” noted Dan Martin, owner of CrossFit 305 in Miami, a city known for its high-octane nightlife, white-sand beaches, and associated fashions. “Everyone wants to look better, live longer, and have a fantastic life. … [CrossFit’s] functional movements prepare you for real-life needs.”Confused by CrossFit-speak like “WOD” or “AMRAP”? We’ve defined some key terms.America’s Top Cities for 5K Races in 2014El PasoLubbockMidland/OdessaIt seems as though Texans take their exercise outdoors. They probably like winning a medal while conditioning their bodies, too. In El Paso, subscribers bought over six times more deals for mud runs, color runs, relay races, and zombie runs than the average customer. Interested in getting down and dirty with the rest of them? Learn how to train for a mud run in five easy steps.
America’s Top Cities for Trapeze in 2014
AtlantaMinneapolisNapa/SonomaAs a Groupon editor discovered, the trapeze requires loose, lithe muscles and tendons. Carrie Heller, founder of Atlanta’s Circus Arts Institute, added that the unusual workout is good for strength training (you’re constantly lifting your own body weight), cardio (once you get the hang of swinging in the air), and building self-esteem (imagine landing a backflip!).Why was Atlanta almost 12.5 times more interested in trapeze fitness than most? “I came to Atlanta when circus was not well known at all and started one of the first circus schools … almost 25 years ago now,” Heller said. “Atlanta has had circus in the community for longer than most, and I think it has really taken hold. “
Appearances by Cirque du Soleil in this forward-thinking area couldn’t have hurt either, she said.America’s Top Cities for Sexy Fitness in 2014Inland EmpireCharlotteLos AngelesThe ladies—and some men—of Inland Empire have a significant interest in learning how to couple flirty moves with a core-toning workout. From pole fitness to chair dancing, subscribers here bought over three times more sexy-fitness deals than average. According to two studio owners, they’re likely racking up benefits like stronger muscles, better posture, and boosted confidence.Illustration by Mark Mills, Groupon

Starting a new fitness routine or dance class is always intimidating. But the idea of pole fitness—spins, tricks, and choreography centered around a vertical pole—can seem especially scary. The acrobatics look tough, and tapping into inner sensuality doesn’t come easy to all of us. And then, there’s the pole’s reputation to consider. When she started teaching pole-dance classes in California 12 years ago, Sedusa Studios owner Carol Whitsett would get eye rolls from people who didn’t understand her business. Rashida Hobbs, owner of Pole’itcians Fitness Studio in Texas, received an even more extreme reaction: “When I first opened, they actually stopped me from getting my certificate of occupancy because they [thought I was] trying to have some underground club.” Luckily, pole studios have since become far more mainstream, and pole fitness is now offered at many gyms. Its physical benefits are undeniable, but its emotional benefits can be even more profound. After speaking to Carol and Rashida about their experiences, we composed this guide as a resource for anyone who’s contemplating their first fireman spin. What to Look for in a Pole StudioCourtesy of Sedusa StudiosIt’s important to note that not all pole studios are the same. When you’re researching the ones in your area, be sure to look into the following factors:The setting: Carol said her students love Sedusa’s soft, red lighting and intimate feel. Rashida’s studio, on the other hand, is located inside a gym. Each type of venue has its advantages, so you just need to gauge where you feel more comfortable. Cleanliness should be a commonality in all of the studios you look at, though, and it’s best to find one where every student is assigned to her own pole.The curriculum: A glance at the class page can tell you if a studio specializes in dance, fitness, or both. Introductory classes are the best way to ease yourself into pole routines, and they often only admit newbies so that everyone begins at the same level. Many studios structure their curriculum around classes that last for multiple weeks and end with a choreographed performance. Peruse the calendar to get a sense of the class pace and what tricks you’ll be learning. The atmosphere: Atmosphere is probably the most important element of any pole studio, and it differs based on the instructors’ mission. Rashida’s studio emphasizes pole fitness. Her classes are ACE certified, they don’t typically involve high heels, and she considers them to be more of a workout than a dance performance. “I think, within the next eight years—if not sooner—[pole fitness] will be in the Olympics,” she said. Carol’s studio, however, has a different dogma—and a lot of high heels. She compared pole dance to ballet, saying, “You do ballet to enchant a prince; you pole-dance to seduce your lover. Both [involve] telling a story with your body; both are athletic.” Though Sedusa does have pole-fitness classes on its schedule, its focus is on choreography, storytelling, and learning to embrace your sultry side. What to Expect from ClassAlthough different pole studios have different attitudes, the effects of attending class seem to be the same—and overwhelmingly positive—no matter where you go.A fitter bod: “You’re getting all the benefits of aerobics and also the hard fitness of weightlifting mixed in one exercise,” Rashida said. She’s had former weightlifters come to the studio who were “overconfident,” only to be surprised by the difficulty of the workout. “You’re using all of your muscles at once, [including] the little muscles that normally go neglected.”Even at studios where dance is first priority, you’ll build muscle and endurance by playing on the pole. And, as Carol explained, you’ll learn how to stand straighter. “You’ll always be working on posture, posture, posture. … You have to be holding your shoulder blades down, and your chest has to be open.” Another unexpected reward? Holding the pole will strengthen your hand grip! “It will make opening jars easier,” Carol said. Confidence and catharsis: Increased confidence is always touted as a benefit of pole dancing, and both Rashida and Carol confirm this. But they also spoke at length about how pole work often constitutes a therapeutic exercise. “Vulnerability is a common term that I use around the studio,” Rashida said. During class, she sets aside time for her students to look in the mirror and say affirming statements about their bodies. “I’ve had women burst out in tears because they’ve never said they’re beautiful or never even thought about it.”Of her studio, Carol said, “It’s the only place where [my students] feel no judgement. … It heals something that’s inside of them.” An extended family: By sharing and letting go of their insecurities, students form a bond that’s impossible to get from any other group class. “Women that meet in the pole studio become the best of friends,” Rashida said. The experience unites them regardless of where they came from or what they do for a living. “I have exotic dancers, I have attorneys, I have principals and teachers … women from all different walks of life who walk into our studio to learn.” Carol echoed the sentiment. “[My students] come for so many different reasons … [but] the minute you walk out, everyone is excited together.”Learn about the unexpected benefits of other fitness disciplines:Five Things I Learned from PilatesCrossFit, Decoded